ITV

Category: People

  • Uday Shankar & what’s driving the Star-Disney-Viacom18 merger

    Uday Shankar & what’s driving the Star-Disney-Viacom18 merger

    MUMBAI: Uday Shankar has been lying low for quite a while, avoiding mixing and sharing his wisdom with journalists – a breed from which he emerged  – as he goes about reshaping a new media and entertainment powerhouse coming out of the merger of Disney Star with Reliance Industries’ Viacom18. 

    But the incoming vice-chair took some time out to speak to McKinsey.com. Speaking to the consulting firm’s insights section online, Uday, highlighted what drove the merger.

    “..India is one of the few markets where television still has reasonably good health, within that, a lot of it is changing. Connected TVs and handheld devices have become very substantial and mainstream,” he said. “You’re competing with global players: Google and Meta. Most of digital-advertising revenue goes to these two companies. So you need to pivot; you need to create a business. We saw an opportunity to leverage our inherent strengths and make that strategic pivot. That’s the primary rationale for the merger.”

    He added that the streaming business also requires innovation and disruption with AVoD and SVoD models having limited revenue potential in India. 

    “While there are a lot of people today who are willing to pay for content and who are interesting or important to advertisers, there are also a lot of people who are not relevant for either of these models,” explained Uday. “You need to create unique or native monetisation models to create value from that base. Whoever manages to create new revenue streams definitely has an advantage. So I think all these opportunities exist.”

    Uday then went on to say he’s learnt from every leader he has worked with, from Rupert, James, Lachlan and Mukesh Ambani who he currently continues to work closely with. 

    “The first thing is they’re all very clear about why they’re doing what they’re doing—and that clarity is very helpful,” he elucidated “They all play to win. And they all have a high threshold for failure. They’re patient, and they’re not willing to give up. And then, they all work on trust. They all take their bets on people. And once they trust people, they’re willing to back them up. And I learned that myself. I take my bets on people; I trust them once they earn my trust. And I back them up.”

    To read the full interview logon to 
    https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/technology-media-and-telecommunications/our-insights/uday-shankar-on-indias-media-and-entertainment-evolution#/

    Picture courtesy: McKinsey.com’s video interview with Uday Shankar
     

  • Anil Jayaraj joins Jio Home Digital Services as president

    Anil Jayaraj joins Jio Home Digital Services as president

    Mumbai: Jio has appointed Anil Jayaraj as the president of its Jio Home Digital Services division. Jayaraj previously served as CEO of Viacom18 Sports and brings with him a wealth of experience, spanning over 30 years in marketing, sales, and business development.

    His career trajectory includes significant stints at industry-leading organisations like Star Sports, Castrol, Pidilite, and BP, where he honed his advertising sales and revenue generation skills.

    Jayaraj will report to managing director Pankaj Pawar and is expected to drive the growth of Jio Home Digital Services, a key segment in Reliance Jio’s overall business strategy. His expertise in the sports and entertainment domains, particularly his success in driving revenue for major sporting events like the Indian Premier League (IPL) during his time at Star Sports, will likely be invaluable as Jio continues to strengthen its presence in digital services and home entertainment.

  • OML Entertainment announces Preranaa Khatri as chief business officer

    OML Entertainment announces Preranaa Khatri as chief business officer

    Mumbai: OML Entertainment, a full-service creative and entertainment business network has appointed Preranaa Khatri as chief business officer (CBO). With nearly two decades of experience in content strategy, creator management, and revenue optimisation, Preranaa is well-suited to drive OML’s continued growth. She previously worked at OML in 2016, leading initiatives that boosted the company’s market presence and revenue.

    In her new role, Preranaa will report to CEO Tusharr Kumar and focus on expanding OML’s advertising, branded content, and long-form production businesses, while growing its influencer marketing platform, Hypothesis, and strengthening its talent roster. This marks a key chapter in OML’s future-ready transformation.

    “I’m looking forward to driving growth at OML with Preranaa. Her extensive experience, strategic insight, and proven leadership skills will be invaluable as we expand our footprint in the media & entertainment industry. She’s one of the most empathetic leaders I’ve had the opportunity to work with, and I can’t think of anyone better to build our teams with,” said OML Entertainment CEO Tusharr Kumar.

    OML’s new CBO Preranaa Khatri expressed her excitement, saying, “I am thrilled to be back at OML, a company that has always been close to my heart. I look forward to working with the talented team here to explore new opportunities and drive growth in the content and creator space. Together, we will continue to create impactful and engaging experiences for all our stakeholders.”

    Preranaa’s passion and experience in media and entertainment make her a formidable addition to OML’s leadership team. Most recently, she was an independent consultant focusing on strategic partnerships, revenue growth and GTM strategies for brands and agencies. Of note has been her work for a Global Olympic Sponsor’s Athlete Partnership Program in the lead-up to the recently concluded Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and 2024 Summer Paralympics.

  • India Global Forum appoints Uday Karan Verma as president – business relations

    India Global Forum appoints Uday Karan Verma as president – business relations

    Mumbai: India Global Forum (IGF) has expanded its international presence by appointing Uday Karan Verma, a senior executive from BBC India, as president – business relations. With over seven years at BBC India, most recently as country manager, Verma has significant experience in developing business opportunities and strategic alliances. His appointment supports IGF’s growth strategy and ongoing efforts to enhance its global influence.

    India Global Forum founder and chairman Manoj Ladwa said: “This is an exciting time for both India and IGF. I’m delighted to welcome Uday to our amazing team, where  his vast experience in fostering business relationships will help drive forward our vision  of unlocking limitless opportunities.”

    Uday Karan Verma has more than two decades of experience across top brands, including BBC, Network18, and ESPN Star Sports. At BBC, he played a pivotal role in launching BBC StoryWorks and led successful initiatives such as BBC Golf Connect and BBC Sportswomen of the year, showcasing his leadership in revenue, content, and strategic vision.

    On his new role, Verma said: “I’m thrilled to join IGF, a platform that brilliantly showcases India’s story on the global stage. IGF’s mission to unlock India’s immense potential aligns with my passion for driving meaningful growth and partnerships.”

    “As a member of this dynamic team, I hope to unlock many new opportunities to shape  impactful global dialogues, fostering innovation and sustainable growth across markets  and industries,” he added.

  • Anupriya Shetty joins IN10 media as head of marketing and communications

    Anupriya Shetty joins IN10 media as head of marketing and communications

    Mumbai: Anupriya Shetty has joined IN10 Media as the head of marketing and communications. She brings extensive experience in brand and content marketing, having previously led these functions at MX Player. During her time there, she played a key role in developing and executing multi-channel marketing strategies for original shows, significantly enhancing the platform’s brand presence.

    Before her tenure at MX Player, Anupriya honed her skills at The Walt Disney Company, where she was responsible for brand and retail marketing within the consumer products division. She successfully led go-to-market strategies for major franchises such as Disney, Pixar, and Marvel, driving consumer engagement through innovative marketing campaigns across India and Southeast Asia. Additionally, Anupriya has held key roles at P&G and Leo Burnett, further enriching her diverse experience.

    At IN10 Media, Anupriya will spearhead the network’s marketing strategy, focusing on enhancing the brand’s visibility and user experience. Her extensive expertise in crafting impactful brand strategies and her diverse background will play a crucial role in propelling the network’s growth.

  • YRF Talent appoints Kanupriya as head of talent film strategy

    YRF Talent appoints Kanupriya as head of talent film strategy

    Mumbai: YRF Talent, the boutique talent management firm that currently represents celebrities like Rani Mukerji, Anushka Sharma, Ayushmann Khurrana, Sharvari, Sonam Kapoor, Ahaan Panday and Vaani Kapoor to name a few, has appointed Kanupriya as head – talent film strategy.

    Kanupriya, ex-CEO of Colour Yellow Productions, has been a producer working in the Indian film industry for over 15 years. She is recognised for her notable contributions in producing films like Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Tumbbad, Manmarziyaan, Newton and many more. She has shown a strong interest in bringing unique and disruptive stories to life throughout her career.

    In this new role, Kanupriya will be heading the films division within YRF Talent and leading strategic relationships between artists and studios, producers, and platforms for the actors represented by YRF Talent.

  • GRB Media Ranch appoints Will Marks as principal advisor for digital (FAST)

    GRB Media Ranch appoints Will Marks as principal advisor for digital (FAST)

    Mumbai: GRB Media Ranch CEO Gary R Benz has announced the company’s continued growth with a new digital strategy, with soon-to-launch FAST (free ad-supported TV) channels and AVOD (ad-supported video on demand) distribution platforms. Industry veteran Will Marks was retained to develop and implement the forward-facing strategy. He will attend MIPCOM next month to expand the Company’s relationship with content and distribution partners.

    Two FAST channels are planned for launch in Q4 ‘24 across the US and many English-speaking territories (US, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand). Each channel will launch with over 400 hours of programming, adding additional content regularly. Additional territories will be launched throughout 2025, along with more channels.

    A paranormal-themed FAST channel, titled ‘The Unseen’ (wt) will include shows from the GRB Media Ranch ‘Dark Zone’ programming collection, including Paranormal Files and Paranormal Quest.

    Also, a travel, food, and culture-themed FAST channel, titled ‘WNDR’ (Wander) will carry programming including Top Travel; South Africa with Hayden Quinn; World of Wonder; and many more globe-spanning series.

    Several more FAST channels are in development for distribution worldwide for next year.

    Marks comes to GRB Media Ranch with sterling credentials as a seasoned industry executive. He was previously SVP, business development & digital at Ovation Television where he founded and led the digital portfolio, including the TV-Everywhere app OvationNOW and the FAST channels Mystery Alley and JOURNY. Marks led the channels to distribution on 300mm plus devices across the US and Canada on connected TVs and video platforms including Amazon Fire, Roku, Samsung TVPlus, Vizio WatchFree+, Plex; and the Apple iOS and Google Android mobile platforms. JOURNY, a perennial ‘Top 3’ travel network on Roku also won the ‘Best AVOD Service’ award from Cynopsis in 2021. Marks had previously served in executive roles leading business development, strategy, and digital teams at ComcastNBCU, Intel Corp, and The Walt Disney Company.

    Benz stated, “GRB Media Ranch is truly excited to launch our digital strategy with two FAST channels in 4Q and we are pleased that Will Marks will share his expertise and distribution savvy to help with this next step in our company’s evolution. We feel fortunate to have many hours of premium programming in paranormal and travel for our launch.”

    Marks added, “GRB Media Ranch built a tremendous content library and continuously acquires compelling programming   across diverse genres. We can’t wait to thrill and chill viewers with the ghosts and haunts on The Unseen; and then take consumers on amazing adventures around the world on WNDR. These new FAST channels are a cornerstone of GRB Media Ranch’s new distribution approach, bringing captivating programming to worldwide audiences. I look forward to working with Gary and the entire GRB Media team in helping them increase the company’s reach around the world.”

  • Ravi Ahuja to replace Tony Vinciquerra as president & CEO at Sony Pictures Entertainment

    Ravi Ahuja to replace Tony Vinciquerra as president & CEO at Sony Pictures Entertainment

    MUMBAI: Now here is another executive of Indian descent taking on the top leadership position in a global company. Ravi Ahuja, who was Sony Pictures Entertainment’s (SPE’s) chairman of global television studios and SPE president & COO will take over as the company’s president & CEO effective 2 January 2025. He will replace SPE’s current CEO  Tony Vinciquerra who will remain in an advisory role for SPE as non-executive chairman until the end of December 2025.

    Ahuja will report to Sony group chairman &  CEO Kenichiro Yoshida and Sony group  president, COO &  CFO Hiroki Totoki. The announcement was made Sony Group Corp and  SPE today.

    “The extraordinary turnaround at SPE over the last 10 years would not have been possible without Tony’s deep experience and expertise in the entertainment space, his strategic vision and his outstanding leadership,” said Yoshida. “Under Tony’s watch, SPE became a critically important part of our efforts to maximize the value of our IP and find synergies across all our entertainment and technology businesses, and it remains a key driver in Sony group’s ongoing corporate strategies to lean further into the creative and entertainment spaces. I want to thank Tony for his years of dedication and leadership at SPE, and for his invaluable support across the group companies during his successful career at Sony.”

    Yoshida continued, “Since joining SPE in 2021, Ravi has been at the center of Tony’s leadership team, navigating the unprecedented challenges of today’s media and entertainment environment and positioning SPE for further growth. Ravi brings with him years of experience from his time at some of the world’s most successful entertainment companies, and we look forward to working more closely with him in his new role as president & CEO of SPE.”

    Vinciquerra joined SPE in June 2017, and has led the company’s dramatic turnaround with five consecutive years of increasing profit by strengthening of SPE’s film slate, reimagining SPE’s television businesses, and with aggressive M&A in key growth areas, such as anime with the acquisition of Crunchyroll in 2021.

    Vinciquerra’s strategic decisions to divest most of SPE’s international cable networks as that market began to deteriorate, and to not jump into the overcrowded streaming space with a general entertainment streaming service, has kept SPE profitable during a time of unprecedented industry change.

    In recent years, Vinciquerra led SPE through some of the entertainment industry’s most challenging events such as the COVID-19 epidemic and the historic combined SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes of 2023, events which brought television and film production to a standstill. Despite these unprecedented events, SPE remains in a
    very strong and competitive position among its industry peers.

    “When I stepped into this role seven and a half years ago, I would’ve never imagined the extraordinary industry disruption and opportunity we’d face,” said Vinciquerra. “I’m filled with immense gratitude for this exceptional company and its profound legacy in Hollywood history. I’m consistently inspired by my brilliant and resolute colleagues. Together, against the odds, we achieved remarkable success and have consistently proven that this is a community built on passion and resilience. Thank you for making these past seven and half years the most gratifying of my career. My sincere appreciation goes to Kazuo Hirai for offering me this opportunity in 2017, and to Kenichiro Yoshida and Hiroki Totoki for their leadership and unwavering trust and support over the years. I have the utmost confidence that SPE will continue to thrive in the years ahead and know that Ravi is the right leader to take SPE forward.”

    Ravi Ahuja joined SPE in 2021 to oversee all production businesses for Sony Pictures Television (SPT) and the studio’s India business as chairman of global television studios. SPT and its production companies produce several award-winning and acclaimed television series including The Crown, The Boys, Gen V, Cobra Kai, Better Call Saul, The Last of Us, Outlander, For All Mankind, The Night Agent, Twisted Metal, The Wheel of Time, S.W.A.T., The Good Doctor, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, Shark Tank, American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, 90 Day Fiancé, Octonauts, SuperKitties, and many more.

    Since joining SPE, Ahuja has also overseen SPE’s M&A activities, including the acquisitions of award-winning nonfiction entertainment company Industrial Media, leading UK production company Bad Wolf and VFX company, Pixomondo, as well as the sale of GSN Games to Scopely. 

    Prior to joining SPE, Ahuja was president of business Operations &  CFO of Walt Disney Television. Prior to that he was in positions of increasing authority, including CFO, at the Fox Networks group, and Virgin Entertainment group.

    “It is my privilege and honor to take the helm at SPE,” said Ahuja. “This is a special place — an iconic studio with an extraordinary 100-year history of storytelling. Thanks to Tony’s remarkable leadership, we have leading businesses with clear strategies and are set up for even greater success in the years to come. I am energized by the opportunities ahead and am lucky to work alongside thousands of talented colleagues around the world at SPE and at our Sony sister companies. I am grateful for Tony’s mentorship, guidance and friendship through the decades, and I thank Yoshida-san and Totoki-san for entrusting me with this important role.”

    Ahuja’s ascendancy to the top role at SPE comes at a time when there has been a change in leadership at Sony Pictures Networks India with NP Singh stepping down as CEO after a long successful stint and Star India executive Gaurav Banerjee taking up the role.

     

  • Nippon TV appoints Satoru Hiramatsu as global content MD

    Nippon TV appoints Satoru Hiramatsu as global content MD

    Mumbai:  Nippon TV Japan’s leading multiplatform entertainment powerhouse, announced the appointment of Satoru Hiramatsu to the position of managing director of global ontent business. Hiramatsu, previously from Nippon TV’s linear and streaming programming division, will now report directly to Yuzo Kuwahara, operating officer and president of content business, and replaces Mikiko Nishiyama who is now executive advisor of global strategy headquarters.  

    In his new position, Hiramatsu will oversee the global content sales and promotion team that is responsible for the company’s success of its internationally acclaimed formats led by Dragons’ Den/Shark Tank, Old Enough! and Mother, and further expand Nippon TV’s presence in the industry.

    “Nippon TV is one of Japan’s leading content companies, with the longest history among private television networks and consistently earning the highest ratings in the country. Several of our formats, including Dragons’ Den/Shark Tank, Old Enough! and Mother, have already garnered international acclaim. However, Nippon TV still holds a wealth of equally creative formats and ideas that have yet to be fully introduced to the world,” commented Hiramatsu “My goal is to promote these new IP in a timely and compelling manner. I believe that the global content market is witnessing a rising wave of interest in Japanese-origin content, not only in anime but also in live-action formats. At Nippon TV, we aim to play a pivotal role in amplifying this wave by working closely with our global partners.”

    Hiramatsu began his career at Nippon TV’s news department, where he covered national and international news, including the September 11th terrorist attacks in the U.S. in 2001 and the East Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011. He played a key role in the launch of News Zero, the most famous and popular nightly news program on the Japanese commercial network, which he produced and helped grow into the ongoing success it is today. After his time in the news, Hiramatsu transitioned to

    Nippon TV’s advertising sales division and content marketing division. Prior to this new position as managing director of global content business, he was responsible for determining Nippon TV’s broadcast schedule at the programming division, including the programming and launch of new programs.

  • TV Today Network’s Rakhee Basu Recognized Among Global 200 Women Leaders

    TV Today Network’s Rakhee Basu Recognized Among Global 200 Women Leaders

    Mumbai: Rakhee Basu, Head of Digital Influencer Marketing at TV Today Network, has been awarded the White Page International Dubai 2024 Global 200 Women Power Leaders award. This recognition honors women who have made significant contributions in their fields and exhibited exceptional leadership qualities.

    Basu has a strong background in digital marketing and influencer strategies, playing a key role in shaping the media landscape. Her innovative methods have enhanced brand visibility for TV Today Network and set new industry benchmarks.

    The award ceremony in Dubai highlighted the achievements of influential women across various sectors, emphasizing their impact on global markets. Basu’s recognition underscores her commitment to empowering others and fostering change within the digital space.